Lock or safety device for radiator-caps or the like



H. J. DWILLARD AND A. B. SHAWD.

0CK 0R SAFETY DEVICE FOR RADIATOR CAPS OR THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-2. I920.

Patented Oct. 26, 1920.

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HENRY J. DWILLARD AND ARCHIE B. SHAWD, 0F KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Iratented Oct. 26, 1626.

Application filed August 2, 1920. Serial No. 400,720.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, IIENRY J. Dw LLAnn and ARCHIE B. SHAWD, citizens of the United States, residing at Kalamazoo, county of Kalamazoo, State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Imorovements in Looks or Safety Devices for liadiator-Caps or the like, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to locks or safety devices for radiator caps or the like. Radiator caps are often ornamental in themselves or provided with an ornament, or'provlded with a thermometer device, (one of whlch is advertised as the moto-meter) and experience and observation shows that these caps, particularly when provided w1th an ornament or thermometer, are stolen.

The object of this invention is to provide a convenient protective device which permits the cap to be unscrewed so that the radiator can be filled and at the same time lock and retain the same in place.

Objects which relate to details of construction will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow. We accomplish the objects of our invention by the devices and means described in the following specification. The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure which is a preferred embodiment of our invention is fully illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification, in which:

Figure I is a detail perspective View of our improvement removed from the radiator or in position to be inserted.

Fig. II is a transverse detail sectional elevation view of the lock device in place, the cap and portions of the radiator being shown in sections and the position of the cap and lock device being indicated by dotted lines when the cap is unscrewed for filling the radiator.

Fig. III is an enlarged detail longitudinal sectional view through the lock bar portion of the device.

In the drawing similar numerals ofreference refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

Referring to the numbered parts of the drawing, 1 is the radiator cap, 2 is the radiator neck, 3 is a thermometer or other ornament on the radiator cap, retained in place by a screw shank 4 and the nut 4: thereon. A washer 6 is retained under the nut 4 having a projecting perforated ear 7 at one side in which is swiveled the hook 7. To the hook 7 is secured a chain 8 which is connected by collar 9 to the hollow lock bar at the inner end of section 10, within which is telescoped the hollow section 11. These thus form a collapsible cross bar at the end of the chain 8.

The telescope section 10 and 11 are retained together by the longitudinal center chain 12 which is connected to said cross pins 13 and 14:. The pins here shown are the usual construction of cotter pins. A compressible coil spring 15 is within the hollow cross bar and is disposed between the cross pins 13 and 14 to hold the bar in extended position.

Rubber heads or caps 16, 16 are provided at each end to prevent the cross bar from rattling within the radiator.

The nut 4' is looked upon the shank 4L by any suitable means after the same is screwed up, preferably by a prick punch. The chain 8 and the swivel hook 7, as well as the washer 6, are made of hard metal which will resist the action of any ordinary cutting pliers or shears, and is too hard to be filed off within any reasonable length of time. The theft of the cap or head must be made quickly or it is not worth while for the thief to take the risk.

WVhile we have shown this structure as applied to a radiator cap, it is of course available for effectively locking similar caps wherever they may be used.

Having thus described our invention, what We claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a radiator cap locking device, the combination with a radiator cap with a screw shank thereon, a washer with an ear thereon adapted to be locked to the said shank, a swivel hook of hard metal in the said car, a chain of hard metal, a cross bar secured to the said chain comprising tubular telescoping sections, a centrally disposed chain within the sections connected by cross pins at the opposite ends of said cross bar a collapsible spring within the said telescoped sections, and bufier caps on the ends of said cross bar, coacting as specified.

2. In construction of the class described, a chain of hard metal adapted to connect to a radiator cap, a cross bar secured to the said chain comprising tubular telescoping sections, a centrally disposed chain within the sections connected by cross pins at the opposite ends of said cross-bar, a collapsible spring within the said telescoped sections, and buffer caps on they ends oi said cross bar, coacting as specified.

3. In a structure of the'class described, a chain of hard metal adapted to connect to a radiator cap, a cross bar secured to the said chain comprising tubular telescoping sections, a centrally disposed chain within the sections connected by cross pins at the opposite ends of said cross bar, ano a collapsi ble spring within the said telescoped sections, coacting as specified,

l. In a structure of the class described, a chain of hard metal adapted to connect to radiator cap, a cross bar securedto the said chain comp ising tubular telescoping sections, and means to hold said sections yieldingly extended, coacting as specified.

5. In a structure of the class described, a chain of hard metal adapted to connect to a radiator cap, a cross bar secured to the said chain comprising tubular telescoping sections, means to hold said sections yieldingly extended, and buffer caps on the ends of said cross bar, coacting as specified.

In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands and'seals in the presence of two Witnesses.

inner J. DWiLLARD. L s] ARCHIE s. SHAWD. 11. 5.

Witnesses LUELLA G. GREENFIELD, GRACE B. THOMPSON. 

